Since 2008, catholic charities of northeast kansas, in partnership with cultivate KC, has managed the new roots program, a 4-year farmer training program and incubator farm for refugees and immigrants…

This $312,500 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) supports the New Roots for Refugees program managed by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and Cultivate KC. The program provides a 4-year farmer training and incubator farm for refugees and immigrants with agricultural backgrounds to launch their own small farm businesses. The grant aims to expand marketing and sales opportunities for these farmers, who face language and cultural barriers, and increase access to fresh local produce for the Kansas City community. To date, 46 families have graduated from the program, with 32 still actively farming in the area, and approximately 12 families participate annually. The award period is from Sep 30, 2024 to Sep 29, 2027.

Since 2008, catholic charities of northeast kansas, in partnership with cultivate KC, has managed the new roots program, a 4-year farmer training program and incubator farm for refugees and immigrants with agricultural backgrounds who wish to launch their own small farm businesses. Forty six families have graduated from the program (32 of which are still actively farming in the area), and approximately 12 families are in the 4-year training program each year. Both organizations are committed to growing the program. Through many years of experience and with the input of program participants, we have built a strong program emphasizing participatory education, language access, equity, self- sufficiency, and graduate success. Though participants have a wealth of agricultural experience, marketing and expanding sales continue to be a challenge due to language and cultural barriers, amongst other factors.additionally, the local community lacks consistent and convenient access to fresh produce. New roots marketing and sales expansion to support farmers with language barriers in kansas city aims to address these challenges by increasing opportunities for the community to access fresh, local produce while expanding farmers sales through a variety of avenues and increasing the number of new farmers in kansas city.